QUOTA of QUOTES

Compiled/partly written by Melvin Durai

December 2017

“I was born and raised in New
Jersey. To see the word ‘deport’ on my
picture ... really it’s just outrageous.”

– Falguni Patel, who was elected
to the school board in Edison
Township, New Jersey, despite being
attacked by racist campaign
mailers. The mailers, distributed
anonymously, urged voters to “Make Edison Great
Again” and displayed “deport” stamps on photos of
Patel and fellow school board candidate Jerry Shi.
(Associated Press)

“Even yesterday, so many
people were showing me love
at our (book launch) reception.
I was so grateful and feeling so
blessed, but at the same time,
I was like, this is so confusing.
Poetry? Really?”

– Rupi Kaur, Indo-Canadian author of
two books of poetry, who has gained millions of fans
by sharing her poetry on Instagram. (Los Angeles Times)

“As the only woman on the dais, it was incredibly
disturbing to see Republican men attempt to strip away my
constitutional rights and privacy of women.”

– Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who was the only woman invited to
speak on a House subcommittee debating
a bill that would determine when it
is valid to get an abortion. (Bustle)

“I feel so happy in dancing”

– Hema
Ramaswamy of Middletown, New
Jersey, a 23-year-old Bharatanatyam
dancer who achieved her arangetram
performance, despite having Down’s
Syndrome and other health challenges.
(NPR)

“I want to write about the queer
community because I am part of it, and
queer literature helped me when I needed
help. I want to pay it forward and help
someone else.”

“Whether it’s the Hispanic community,
whether it’s the African-American community,
the East Asian community, we have
to come together. And don’t let people try to
tell us there’s not enough of the pie. You can
always make a bigger pie.”

– Shanti Narra, member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders in
Middlesex County, New Jersey, urging South Asians to
have a voice in their communities. (New York Times )

Compiled and partly written by Indian humorist MELVIN DURAI, author of the novel Bala Takes the Plunge. [Comments? Contributions? Please email us at melvin@melvindurai.com. We welcome jokes, quotes, online clips, and more.]

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